Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday issued a bold challenge to the swine industry, urging it to produce an additional 2 million hogs annually to restore the country’s pig population to pre-African Swine Fever (ASF) levels by 2028.
Speaking at the 31st National Hog Convention and Trade Exhibit in Pasay City, Secretary Tiu Laurel pointed to the potential commercial rollout of an ASF vaccine this year and the financial support from the proposed Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, which together could help accelerate the industry’s recovery.
Under the proposed animal industry competitiveness enhancement fund, around P4 billion will be allocated for the swine industry to support its recovery and growth.
The DA chief said he has spoken with two large commercial hog producers who have committed to each produce half a million more heads of hogs starting next year. “If they deliver, I already have around 1 million additional heads,” he added. ### (Photos by Jay Morales, DA-OSEC)
